This photograph took a lot of planning. First a bit of history. This is the the former Rio Grande crossing of La Veta pass, their access to the fertile San Luis valley and its surrounding mineral wealth. In its hey day articulate steam hauled long trains over this pass. But eventually it became a more modest one train a day routine. Eventually the Rio Grande was merged with the SP, and then the SP merged with UP. As traffic dwindled and maintenance needs increased, UP sold of the line to a shortline, today's San Luis and Rio Grande which is in bankruptcy and again for sale as I write this.
Access to the area is difficult because it is a private gated community. Plus the train generally operates at night, at least in those days. So when I met an acquaintance who owned land in the area, he agreed to let me use his gate pass. I waited until the long days of early summer and hoped for an early train. It all came together for this one picture. Probably more trouble than it was worth, but it was one of those challenges that was fun to accomplish with some success. Since then I have been to Fir on passenger trains and steam charters, but this image is my favorite.
A compilation of DRGW's La Veta Pass route to the San Luis Valley now operated by the SLRG.
With Rio Grande Scenic passenger operations coming to a close in 2019, the Alamosa sub is once again freight-only, as reflected here.
